Starlyn Provo

To Starlyn Provo, the most important thing in life was the love shared among family, even from her earliest days. She was very proud of her Italian heritage and it was something that surfaced throughout her life in a variety of ways. Starlyn was a fiercely dedicated mother of the children who were the light of her life. She was such a classy lady who was kind to a fault. Although her life was not without times of struggle, Starlyn maintained her joy for living and really came to be comfortable in her own skin during the last five years of her life. She will be missed for her warm smile and her scrumptious baked goods, but most of all for her generous and compassionate heart. The year 1949 was a year in which Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend topped the charts, cable television debuted in homes across the nation, and the first successful round-the-world nonstop flight was achieved, not too mention a "star was born!" It was a year for celebration in the family of Anthony and Rose (Scamardi) Montes as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Starlyn Mary, on February 28th. Starlyn was given her name because as her mother was coming out of anesthesia after giving birth, she asked her doctor where her star was. As the doctor handed her mother her beautiful baby girl, the name Starlyn certainly seemed appropriate since she was the first girl following three boys in her family. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and was the youngest child and only girl in her family in which each child was separated by six years. Starlyns family was deeply rooted in their Italian heritage as her grandparents were from Sicily. Her father was an accomplished lithographer while her mother was a homemaker. Starlyns mother was the family matriarch who was deeply admired for her exquisite cooking skills. During her youngest years Starlyn was raised in the family home in the part of town known as Little Italy. The Montes family fostered close relationships with all of their extended family, and all lived in the same neighborhood. Their large family worked together in raising their children collectively. Starlyns youngest brother Stephen was forced to have her tag along with him so Starlyn learned how to play street ball and hang in the neighborhood. Stephen also figured out how to make the most of having a little sister as he asked her to do a few things for him such as make his lunch. Always happy to oblige, this arrangement suited Starlyn just fine. Her oldest brothers daughter was very close in age to Starlyn and despite the fact that Starlyn was actually her aunt, the girls were constant playmates. They even remained close throughout their adult years. All holidays were celebrated by stopping at Starlyns grandparents house for a meal, church, and plenty of noise and laughter. By the time Starlyn was a bit older, her fathers career had grown so they moved from the city to Bellwood, a suburb of Chicago, in 1957. She attended an all girls Catholic high school called Immaculate Heart of Mary, which was jokingly referred to as IHM for I hate men! As a student Starlyn had many groups of friends, and they were always hanging out at her house and having fun. It was through her friends that she met a man named Robert Provo whom she dated for a time and married on her 21st birthday. Robert joined the Army and they had to move to Tacoma, Washington, where he was stationed. Here they welcomed the birth of their first son, Anthony. During her pregnancy, Starlyn became diabetic and once her son was born, Starlyn was advised not to become pregnant again since she was now considered a fragile diabetic. Being away from her family was difficult for Starlyn so she moved back to Bellwood with her young son. Her husband followed once he was discharged. Once she was back home, Starlyn tapped in to some of the things she truly enjoyed. She got a bit creative and mastered some of her interests. Because her mother was such an extraordinary cook, baking came naturally to Starlyn. Making and decorating cakes was something she truly enjoyed, and she also loved swimming in her backyard pool. Before her son Tony turned four, Starlyn found herself unexpectedly pregnant again. This pregnancy was extremely difficult for her, and she was hospitalized for a long time. Although her son Don was born a bit prematurely, he was born healthy. It was her struggles with diabetes while pregnant that led to a lifelong struggle with her health. Due to the medications that were necessary to maintain her diabetes, Starlyn began to gain weight, which brought on another set of complications. She ultimately had bariatric surgery after she had bypass surgery as she truly desired to get healthy. Starlyns struggle with diabetes also led to her loss of vision for which she later had retinal surgery. Looking for a new start, Starlyn moved to Muskegon, Michigan, in 1998 where her brother Stephen and his wife lived. She moved to a place by the water and she truly loved the beachside lifestyle where she could also satiate her love for fishing. Stephen was a doctor with his own practice, and Starlyn worked with him for a time where she was in charge of his mobile scanner. When her brother retired, Starlyn began working at Sams Club doing demonstrations. She continued in this position until the very end of her life. There were so many things that made Starlyn such an extraordinary woman. She always strived to make others happy and never wanted anyone to be mad at her. Starlyn would offer a helping hand to anyone and never held a grudge either. She never interfered in the lives of her sons, although she was always there when they needed her. Starlyn would always tell her sons, I cant tell you what to do because I dont want you to have any regrets towards me. No matter what, Starlyns sons knew their mother would stand behind them. Starlyn Provo was a strong and independent woman who lived her life with others in mind. She took what life gave her and made the best of it, whatever her circumstances. Starlyn worked hard throughout her life, yet she also enjoyed things like the beach, fishing, and arts and crafts. She was a delightful woman who brought such joy to those around her. Starlyn will be dearly missed. Starlyn M. Provo died Thursday, December 31, 2009. Starlyns family includes her sons Anthony (Casper) Provo of IL, Donald (Dawn) Provo of Muskegon; grandchildren, Charlie, Morgan, Bethany, Triffany & Brittany; 5 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins; most importantly, mother of dogs Rosie & Mazey. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John & Anthony Montes. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2010, 4-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home with a Rosary Service at 5:00 at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial donation to the American Foundation for the Blind-Diabetes or American Diabetes Association.